Connie Goff: Time for resolutions is here again

What? It's already time to make New Years' resolutions? Didn't I just break all mine a week or so ago? Oh well, time to get busy re-challenging myself –– making myself a better person.

Connie Goff

What? It's already time to make New Years' resolutions? Didn't I just break all mine a week or so ago? Oh, well, time to get busy re-challenging myself –– making myself a better person.

So that I don't get carried away in my goal-setting/resolution-making, I checked online to see what some of the most popular resolutions are these days. I do this at the end of every year just to be certain I'm keeping up with the more popular resolving.

As usual the list of life-changing goals and objectives for 2009 starts with losing weight, exercising and eating healthier –– the things we think about doing when our refrigerators are filled with leftovers from Christmas dinner. Since more than a fourth of the people living in the United States are considered overweight, I reckon that's an appropriate resolution.

I always have January 1st in mind when I think about my fitness plan. Some people start on Monday –– any old Monday will do –– but I like to narrow things down a bit and start on the first day of every year –– makes it nice and simple –– I can get in on the latest, most up-to-date styles in my newly acquired smaller size.

I always have good intentions when the holidays are coming to a close. I put the leftover food in air-tight containers, pass some out to our guests as they leave our home, put the healthier, more well-ballanced menu items in the fridge and give the rest to Sam the dog. (Poor Sam –– he's going to weigh 500 pounds by the time he finishes all that dressing!)

On the first day of the new year, I have my menu planned out for a week at a time. I know exactly what healthy, well-balanced meal I will be fixing every night of that particular week for dinner. I have purchased food necessary for each meal, including the lunches I will take along to the office.
I begin each new day with a warm, healthy breakfast so that my body will be fueled and ready to meet the challenges of the day.

I work through the morning –– keeping my thoughts on the tasks at hand –– never concerning myself with snacks. At noon I go to the break room, open the brown paper bag containing my nutritious sandwich, salad or homemade soup.

I travel home each evening, anxious to see my family and prepare that well-balanced meal I have planned for the night.

After a pleasant evening with my family –– watching TV or playing games –– I eat my healthy snack and turn in.

Yeah right! In whose world does this happen? The true story is more like this.

On the first day of the year, I get out of bed, look in the fridge and realize we're out of milk and cereal. I head to work on an empty stomach, grab the chips out of my desk as soon as I get there and munch until lunch time.

We then consider options for lunch and call to have something delivered to the office –– something hot, delicious and made with 100 percent saturated fat. I return home tired at the end of the day. I remember I hadn't set meat out to cook for dinner and try to figure out what I can cook that doesn't require beef, pork or chicken. We end up eating tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches made with real butter and cheese.

Throughout the evening I watch senseless TV for hours on end, find the Twinkies or HoHos in the cabinet, have my bedtime snack and fall in bed by 11 p.m.

So much for that resolution!

On another, more positive note. Among the other things on the list of popular resolutions for 2009 was "spending more time with family and friends" and "enjoying life more."

Now that's what I'm talking about! It sounds a whole lot better than resolutions like controlling spending, managing debt and saving money OR getting a better education and finding a better job.

So I've been contemplating this coming year –– 2009 –– wondering what bumps-in-the-road there will be as we make our way through this next 365 days.

Yes, I seriously do want to become healthier –– tame the bulge, so to speak. Yes, I do want to control my spending and live within a budget. Yes, I absolutely do want to spend more time with family and friends –– enjoying life more. And yes, I do want to spend more time helping others.
But do I have to write all this stuff down? I've heard it said that a goal isn't a goal until it's written down. Dear me! If I write it down and someone reads it, then there will be expectations I may not live up to!

My wish for 2009 is for everyone to be a little happier, a little healthier, a little more willing to help someone when they need it. And if you make resolutions, I hope you are committed to keeping them and not get discouraged if you stumble along the way. Happy New Year!

Maryville Daily Forum

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